Coronavirus Measures for the Diocese of Grand Island May 4 Update

Policy for the Diocese of Grand Island for the re-opening of Catholic Churches on May 4, 2020

On Friday, April 24, Nebraska Governor Ricketts announced the opportunity for the re-opening of faith based services throughout Nebraska, beginning May 4, 2020. Since then I have consulted with members of the Presbyteral (Priests) Council of the Diocese of Grand Island about how we might proceed.

While some parishioners are eager to re-open their churches, many others feel that May 4 is simply too soon. Some priests have advocated that all parishes remain closed until we can all re-open at the same time. Some are concerned that if there is a partial re-opening, people will travel from areas that remain closed to parishes that have re-opened, and unknowingly transmit the virus.

With this new policy below, it is my desire to recognize the vast differences between some places like Hall County and Dawson County that have very high incidences of the COVID-19 virus and the many other places that have few if any cases of the infection.

Therefore, anticipating the governor’s re-opening date of May 4th, and as of that day, I am establishing the following measures:

The Dispensation from the Sunday and Holy Day Obligation remains in force.

Furthermore, parishes do not have to re-open at this time, if parish leaders believe it would be unsafe to do so. This policy anticipates good pastoral judgement about re-opening in areas that may be virus free or with only a few confirmed cases.

A limited opening (as of May 4) of Catholic Churches is permitted in those areas where few, if any, confirmed COVID-19 virus cases have been reported, but only by following the instructions that were sent to pastors. Furthermore, this re-opening is for liturgical celebrations only, and not for educational, social or outreach activities. This limited opening is permitted for parishes in the following counties: Sioux, Dawes, Box Butte, Sheridan, Cherry, Brown, Rock, Wheeler, Garfield, Greeley, Valley, Sherman, Logan, Thomas, Hooker, Grant, Keith, Garden, Morrill, Deuel, Cheyenne and Kimball. (Should confirmed cases begin to increase in these areas, new closings should be anticipated.)

NO RE-OPENING of Catholic Churches until May 30th, is permitted in those counties where the number of confirmed COVID-19 virus cases is still increasing or experiencing a significant increase. Catholics who live in these areas should not migrate to parishes that are open. This NO RE-OPENING policy is for parishes in the following counties: Hall, Howard, Buffalo, Dawson, Custer, Lincoln and Scottsbluff. (Should the number of confirmed cases decline significantly in these areas before May 30th, perhaps a re-opening could then take place.)